The American premiere of the Czech stage drama The Good and the True officially opens Aug. 3 at 7 PM following previews that began July 29 at Off-Broadway's DR2 Theatre.

Hannah D. Scott

Due to an indefinite delay in the processing of an international work visa for Isobel Pravda, British actress Hannah D. Scott has assumed the role of Hana Pravda in the two-character drama. (Isobel Pravda had been slated to reprise the role she originated in the U.K. and Belgian touring productions; however, her international work visa has been delayed due to the computer glitch in the U.S. State Department's global database.)

"While we're saddened by the unforeseen issues with Isobel Pravda's work visa, I am so pleased that Hannah Scott has stepped up to take on this wonderfully complex and challenging role," said lead producer Brian Daniels in a recent statement. "In a matter of only three short days, Ms. Scott managed to learn the entire part — a full 18 monologues — and was completely off-book as of yesterday afternoon's final dress rehearsal! It was her incredible discipline and remarkable interpretation of Hana Pravda that gave us all the confidence to commence preview performances last night. She is the consummate professional, and it shows!"

The drama co-stars Saul Reichlin as Holocaust survivor Milos Dobry.

The Good and the True was written by Daniel Hrbek, Tomas Hrbek and Lucie Kolouchova, and adapted as an English-language version by Brian Daniels. It is helmed by award-winning Czech director Daniel Hrbek.

The play, according to press notes, "intertwines the true testimonies of two extraordinary people — Czech athlete Milos Dobry and actress Hana Pravda. They both spent their working lives building suspense, knocking crowds into submission and drawing gasps and acclaim from spectators — but this pales in significance compared to their earlier lives enduring the indignities of incarceration and survival at the hands of occupied Czechoslovakia in the 1930s." The play's English title was created from the English translations of its subjects' last names: Dobry, the Czech word for "good," and Pravda, the Czech word for "true."

The production features scenic design and costume design by Daniel Hrbek, lighting design by Karel Simek and sound design by Martin Hejl. The American premiere is produced by Svandovo Divadlo, Prague; and the New End Theatre, London with leading theatre impresario Brian Daniels.